Norman A. Kujala
ELMA, Wash. — Norman A. Kujala, 92, of Elma, Washington, former Tapiola Road resident, passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at home, with his wife, Marge, at his side.
Norman was born on October 22, 1925, in Houghton County, son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth (Putkela) Kujala.
Norman was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. He served as a combat engineer in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, and was honorably discharged as a Tec 5 in April of 1946.
Norman received an Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star.
Norman married June Schroderus in July of 1950. June passed away in 1995.
Norman married Marge (Schnabel) Erickson in 2003, in Astoria, Oregon.
He resided in Elma, Washington, with Marge until his passing.
Norman was employed as a carpenter for the Yalmer Mattila and Herman Gundlach construction companies, retiring in 1988. Norman was a 67- year member of the Carpenters Union.
Norman enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and working in the woods.
Norman is survived by his wife, Marge; his son, Tom (Molly) Kujala of Iron Mountain; their children, Zack of Columbus, Ohio, Tucker of Lake Orion, Max of Iron Mountain, and Sawyer of Richmond, Virginia; his granddaughter, Kirstin (Keith) Nielson of Traverse City; her children, Olivia, Tyler, Anna, Ella, Cecilia, and Lucy; his grandson, Nick (Jen) Kujala, and their son, Lewis, of Chicago, Illinois; his grandson, Erik Kujala of Loveland, Colorado; his daughter- in-law, Christine Lee of Traverse City; her children, Stephanie and Danielle; his step-children, Lee (Kelly) and Shellaine (Tom); several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Dorothy, Peggy, Berniece, Donald and Esther; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding him in death were his first wife, June; his son, Paul; and his siblings, Gordon and Evelyn.
A memorial service will be held on September 5, 2018, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Astoria, Oregon, with burial in Michigan at a later date.